The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi, exhorting them to be humble and love one another (Philippians 2:1-4). Then he added what all modern scholars insist is a pre-existing hymn whose composer remains unknown. Paul introduces this hymn by telling readers, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (v. 5). Then he begins the hymn by saying, “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men…” (vv. 6-7).
Philippians 2:6-11 has had a most profound impact on the history of Christology. H. E. Todt says of it, “Christological doctrine has been developed in Protestantism mainly with regard to the concepts expressed in Philippians 2. The synoptic texts were interpreted to conform to this passage.” It should have been vice versa.
Consequently, Philippians 2:6-11 has been hotly debated among modern scholars. N. T. Wright says the main reason is that it “is one of the most notoriously complex passages” in all of Paul’s New Testament (NT) letters. Due to the necessary brevity of this article, we will only be able to scratch the surface of this scholarly discussion.
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Author: Kermit Zarley
Keywords: Jesus emptied himself, made himself of no reputation, Jesus made himself of no reputation, Jesus in the form of God, form of God, Christ in the form of God, incarnation, God incarnate, incarnate, equal with God, equality with God, God made flesh, word made flesh, word became flesh, God incarnation, Jesus incarnation
Bible reference(s): Philippians 2:6-8
Source: “Did Jesus Empty Himself of Any Divine Attributes?” The Restitution of Jesus Christ, 2008.
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